Electrician. Chased Walls and Installed Sockets But Wires Are Not Capped. Is this Correct

[opps]

I once had to move a light switch/back box 50mm to the right. I removed the face plate and saw that the cable exited via the top of the metal back box. I didn't want to isolate the lighting circuit because I didn't have site lights with me. I started tapping away at the plaster with my Japanese cat's claw. Bang! I went through the live and earth.

I then discovered that the cable went up through the top of the metal back box, and ran down the right hand side of the box. Annoyingly, the incident left a slight dent in the cat's claw. Other than the "bang" noise, and the lights turning off, I didn't experience any shock. I have long wondered if that was down to the fact that my Timberland Pro boots were supposedly rated at 650v.

 

[john4703]

I don't think so. We've discussed this several times before and I think it has been generally agreed that a cable has to enter and be 'terminated' within an accessory/whatever in order for the accessory (or 'blank plate'/whatever) to create a 'safe zone' - the explanation being that someone could otherwise theoretically remove the accessory/whatever which had been creating the 'safe zone', leaving a buried cable which was no longer in a 'safe zone'. The wording of the regs seems consistent with that view ....



In view of the above, I think that would really be the only (sensible) solution that would make it reg-compliant.

See above.

I personally don't like the term - because to someone who has a drill, chisel or hammer/nails in their hands, it's definitely a 'dangerous zone', not a 'safe' one

Kind Regards, John

Thanks JohnW2. I can learn even at my age. I was wrong with my idea and have learnt.

 

[sparkwright]

Very common in pre war houses that have not been updated.

And post war.

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks JohnW2. I can learn even at my age. I was wrong with my idea and have learnt.

You're welcome. Even at my age I can learn (and often do!).

I have to say that (I suspect like many others), there was a time when I had exactly the same thoughts as you. Indeed, I seem to recall that my thinking (until I was corrected) probably went even further, in that I thought that one didn't even a backbox to create a safe zone, and that one could probably create a 'safe zone' by just screwing a blank plate onto the wall! However, for the reasons I've explained, I no longer believe that to be the case!

KInd Regards, John